The 6th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long!

[Cynthia12]

Thankyou. Please add me to your hatching list - Im looking forwards to it

 

[Cynthia12]

I'm in! Please add me to the list!

 

[gevshiba]

Great hatch, congrats!

Thanks!

 

[campingshaws]

Pretty good hatch after all. 17 of 19. Last 2 haven't pipped, but I'll give them a little more time. I opened the hatcher because the temp got a bit high and they were panting.

LOVE them! What are the two in the second picture?

 

[Kaylish]

I use washcloths to line the egg tray. They collect all the tiny bits of egg shell and other waste, and give the babies something soft to dry off on. When the hatch is done I can just pop them in the washer with a little bleach and then disinfect the incubator as usual.

Great idea!!!

The chicks I just posted pictures of are in a Little Giant.

Awesome! That's what I'm thinking of getting. Is it still air or circulated? Any quirks that you've noticed?

 

[Cynthia12]

Pretty good hatch after all. 17 of 19. Last 2 haven't pipped, but I'll give them a little more time. I opened the hatcher because the temp got a bit high and they were panting.

Aww, a chick fix while in waiting. Thanks for posting, they are soo cute!

 

[Cynthia12]

Wait a second. Husbands are allowed to tell their wives what their allowed. Be right back, I have to go talk to my wife.

 

[Jessorr2]

I got some shipped eggs this time around as I only have 1 roo and 16 hens and my fertility rate is not that great on my own eggs right now
It's day 9 today and we candled lastnight for the first time! I was really worried because there was an issue with the post office and I had to travel to pick up the eggs and they didn't arrive on time and the eggs had to stay at the post office for the long weekend- so when I candled lastnight I was presently surprised right now I have over 75% live embryos in the eggs right now -I did let the eggs sit at room temp big end up in the carton for 6 or so hrs but because of the age of the eggs I put them into the incubator right away - I'm excited to see how many I actually end up with by the end

I read and re-read SallySunshine's awesome Hatching eggs 101 page. (Last year too!)
It's perfect for anyone starting out or anyone who wants to brush up on the Zen of hatching.

This year, I will be doing it a little differently- I'll be getting shipped eggs (Yay!!!)
and I noticed that she recommends with the shipped ones letting the eggs settle in an egg carton for about 48 hours so the air cells can re-attach after shipping. Some of those air cell and scrambled photos were a little scary!
This is a dumb question, but does that 48 hours mean in room temperature- not in the incubator... I assume that's what I do? In an egg carton with holes for ventilation, and then I would just add them to the incubator the same time that I add the other eggs all together, and let them turn in the auto-turner? 

If any egg-sperts out there who have experience hatching shipped eggs have any more tips, I'd be super-grateful! :cd

I got some shipped

 

[Cynthia12]

Styros work great for hatchers! For cleaning I've found the best and easiest way is to pop the bottom and all the inside pieces into the tub, soak, and scrub with a soft bristle 'nail brush' that is only used for cleaning bators. Sterilize and let air dry fully. Hope this helps!

I also put in tub, use half bleach/water. Soak for about 5 mins..note, the top is not in the top just the bottom of the bator. I then use hot hot water to rinse while I am scrubbing with a brush. Then, I rinse with cold cold water. Then, I get as much water out as I can, put the top on, plug it in..push up the heat, and let it heat dry for a couple of hrs. Steam cleaned. I had one bator for yrs. Worked well for all of those yrs. Can't always get all of the stains out, so it was looking pretty used. Oh well, worked for me.

 

[Cynthia12]

Thank you everyone! Now to see if I can sneak another bator into the house without the hubby noticing...